Tractor conveyer



Mayl, 1945. E. H. SPIEGL 2,374,903

TRACTOR CONVEYER Filed Jan. '51, 1942 y 3 Sheets-Sheet l May 1, 1945.

E. H. SPIEGL 4TRACTOR coNvEYER Filed Jan. 3l 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mayl, 1945.

' E. H. SPIEGL TRACTOR CONVEYER Filed Jan. 31, 1942 3 Sheets-.Sheet 3Patented May l, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE l q e 2,374,903 `TRACTORooNvEYER 'ElllsIL Spiegl, Salinas, Calif. Application .january 31, 1942,serialNo. 429,064

7 claims.

My invention relates to a portable `or mobile means for elevatingarticles or'packages to any selected or desired heightlwithin' limits ofthe structure, and is particularly concerned with a portable mechanismfor assisting in placing sand bags or comparable packages in position,for example: in quickly erecting revetments 'or making comparabledeposits of material. Itis .cus,v tomary` in making revetments `to placesacks of sand inthe desired pattern Von the ground, and to continue topile successive sacks of sand upon those previously deposited,'until)there is erecteda wall or' embankment of .anyf desired height, forexample, `fifteen or twenty feet. .Often while one of the sides of suchwall is substantially vertical, `the other side is-at an inclination.

It is an object ofl` my inventiontoprovide a machine which can betransported to thev desired.. location of a revetment, and will thenassist in positioning thelsand sacks` beginning ataspoint close to the`ground and continuing until the maximum heightis reached. a

Furthermore, it is' an object of my invention to provide a tractorconveyer which can be swung about in different locations in 'orderto'facilitate the disposition of the material being conveyed.`

; Another object of .my invention is to supply a tractor conveyer whichcan readily be detachedfor highway'transport. i A l.

`A further object of my invention is `to provide a tractor' conveyerwhich is easily fabricated of :substantially standard materials- Anadditional object of myinvention isV to provide a tractor conveyer whichcanreadily be attached to a tractor of standard manufacture.

Other objects, together withthe foregoing, will be set forth in thefollowing specification and areillustrated in the accompanyingdrawingainwhich y p,

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of a tractor showing the tractor` conveyer ofmy invention appliedthereto Iinworking position.

,-Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the structure shown inFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan'of the structure shown in Fig. 1. l Fig. 4 isanenlarged plan of the rearward portion` of the tractor and the rearportion of the conveyer, showing the details of construction.

f Fig. 5 is a cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the line5-5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of a modified form o myinvention. 1 f H Fig. 7 is a. partial plan'of the Fig. 6 structure- Inits preferred form, the Atractor conveyer "of my invention is intendedto be applied to a f standard tractor which has a rear gear housingwithr a power take-off shaft projecting rearwardly therefrom, anlincludes a sleeve or quill on trie gear housing, preferablyencon'lpassing the power take-off shaft, and on which a conveyer frameis mounted. The conveyer frame.

ing,` driven from` the power take-oishaft; l While thetractor conveyerof my invention can `be applied to various different sorts of tractors,it has successfully been embodied in connection with a tractor of thetype shown herein, which includes a vehicle 6 supported on track-layingtracks l, and incorporating a central main frame 8 between the tracks onwhich an engine compartment 9 is disposed, and

q on which an operators station II is located.

Beneath the operators station and forming a part of the main frame 8 isa rear gear housing l2, which` customarily encloses the nal drive gearsof the tractor and affords on its rear face vasuitable mounting forimplements-and auxiliary mechanisms.` The rear gear housing hasprojecting therefrom or is provided with a power take-off shaft I3, .theaxis of which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tractor 6 andwhich extends rearwardly substantially halfway between the tracks 1.

. In accordance with the form of my invention I shown in Figs. 1 to 5, Ipreferably mount on the rear gear'housing I2 a sleeve I,4 or quill (Fig.4) which is secured in place by a plurality of removable fasteningstudsor bolts I6. The sleeve or quill I4 is preferably adequatelyreinforced by ribs Il to transmit a considerable load to the rear gearhousing I2.i In effect, therefore, the quill I4 becomes a l detachablepart of the tractor main frame 8. l

`While various locations `for the quill I4 on the gear' housing arepossible, I preferably mount it so that the axis of the quill isconcentric with the axis of the power take-off shaft I3 which passesentirely through the quill I4, preferably also being journalled therein.

Mounted on the quill I4 for swinging movement is'a conveyer or beltframe, generally designated I8. l frame preferably incorporates a pairof side channels I9 and 2|. respectively, which are together than thespace between the channels I9 and 2| and which themselves serve asbearings for a lower conveyer shaft 26. This shaft is parallel with thepower take-off shaft .I3 and at its opposite.ends-is-provided with chainsprockets 21. Similarl'yj'journall'e'd in the upper end, the

belt frame I8 is provided with an upper conveyer 4 shaft 28 which servesas a mounting for upper4 sprockets 29 in alignment with the sprockets21.

Engaging the pairs of sprockets 21 and 29 are conveyer chains 3| and3.2, which areidentical, and preferably are not only supportedbygengagefk ment with the sprockets but likewise carry rollers 33 sothat the chains are supported and move on the upper flanges of thechannels I9 and 2| with a minilnrof friction.'

"""At'suitlbl'e intervals tliroi'igh'out their entire compassgftlie"chains are provided' with special links 34 tdwhi'ch -areseciJLre'dvtransverse flights .'igrpreferably constituted by pipe' raised slightlylabovethe surface' ofthe channels I9 and 2| and likewise Aspacedslightly'abcvefth'e surface of a panel' 31," constituted by'a pair 'ofplanks 38 'and Sawhich'are'secured between the channels 19 and 2| Abyfastenings 4|, securing them to the'straps While the upper run'of the'conveyer remains bygravityin close relationship with the conveyerframe, the lower'run is inclined to'sag unduly, and to hold it 'withinaY reasonable location I provide a `number of idler wheels 4I 'dependingfrom the conveyer frame I8 and forming supports for the lower run.

-' In order -appr'opriatelyto drive the conveyer belt-(comprised ofthechains 3|- and 32 as well as i the `flight-,slim I preferably mount onthe end of the power take-oii shaft I1 a drive sprocket 42, and.in-alignment therewith f mount adriven sprocket 43 on the endof 4theupper conveyer shaft 28.V -Trained around the two sprockets 42 and 43isa drive chain 44 extending from the lower portion tothe upper `portionof the conveyeigtlandintermediate its -endssustained-by an idlersprocket 46 depending Afrom the conveyer frame. i8.. In 'thisfashionwhen vthe power takeoif shaft A|1isenergized, driving force istransmitted .tothe .upper conveyerishaft 28 so that the upperrun of Atheconveyer is placed under tension'and theflights 36 are advanced upwardlyover the conveyer frame sothatmaterials which aliedeposited adjacent to.the .lower .part of the framesuchas sacks of sand,.are engaged by andrestupon the successive 4flights (as. shown in Fig. .1) andare conveyedupwardly to the upper endofthe .conveyer .over which they are dis.-

charged. A v vIn. orderthat the conveyer frame I8 may be disposed at.any Adesired elevation .at its.outer or. upper end..A I provide anappropriatesupporting. mechanism. Preferably fastened to the. rearpf thegearl housing .l2 is asuperstruoture, generally c lesignated`i7whichpreferably includes a pair ofuprights 5 2 and 53,l each of which issecured by removable fastenings such as studs or bolts 54 to the gearhousing...The superstructure extends upwardly to an apex and is providedwith readily removable braces. 56 extending from the uprights 5 2. 53forwardly to enga-ge ,the main frame 8 of; ,the tractor. The.uprightsare inclined Icare Wardlylso. that. at. theiriupperfend. .where theyare.

joined together, they overlie approximately the center of the conveyerframe I8. At an appropriate height the uprights are fastened together bysuitable bracing 51.

At a convenient height in their lower portion, the uprights 52 and 53are provided With journals 58 in which a winch drum 59 is rotatablymounted. A hand crank 6| serves to operate the winch drum, which canalso be provided with the customary braking or ratchet devices. From thewinch druml 59 an operating cable 62 extends over a guide pulley 63 onthe superstructure 5| and then engages one of the blocks 64 of the blockand tackle mechanism. The block 64 is fastened by a hook 66 to an eye 61engaging the apex or upper joined ends of the uprights 52 and 53. The

` cable 62,"after having engaged the block 64 then `engages the otherblock 68of the block and tackle mechanism and nnally is appropriatelydeadended. The block 68 is connected to a bail 69 whichl is arched overthe conveyer and engages suitable pivot pins .1I located on oppositesides of the conveyer frame I8, preferably near the outer end thereof..With this arrangement and upon manipulation of the winch .59. theconveyer frame can be raised and lowered, that is, swung. about thequill I4.. as an .axis and can be raised .from..a

position Very close to the ground up into a position of maximumelevation, which can be fteen or .twenty feet from the ground. With thisarrangement, When the conveyer is lowered the sand bags can .be placedon the tractor end of the` conveyer and can be advanced to the positionfor deposit. .As the .wall is increased in height, successivemanipulations of the winch 59 can be utilized to lift the outer end ofthe conveyer frame so that the sand bags are delivered to higherandhigher elevations.

- AWhen it is necessary to deliver the bags to dfferent locations ratherthan in one spot, it is very easy. for. theoperator to manipulate thetractor 6 to swing the conveyer through an arc or otherwise to adifferent position for deposit of the sand bags.. n.

When themechanism is to be transported from one. locationover a highwayor other terrain WhereA mechanisms of great height .cannot be moved, itis very simple to dismantle the conveyer structure. vI provide on theconveyer frame I8 near the center of gravity. a pair of pins 'I3 whichcan be engaged 'by the bail 69. That is, for transport theconveyer framecan'be lowered to rest upon the ground or some suitable supportingobject, -the bail 69 can then be readily disengaged from `the pins 1iand rie-engaged with the pins 13.*Then upon loosening and removal of'the studs .16, the quill lI4 andpower take-off shaft I1 can bewithdrawn`rearwardly from the trac tor. Since'the conveyer frame is thensuspended by the superstructure substantially at the center of gravity:of the conveyer, it is an easy matter to manipulate the detachedconveyer into position for haulingon a truck or othersuitable vehicle.After detachmentfof the bai-1.69, for example, by removing the block 68therefrom, the superstructure can be removed from the tractor bydetachingthe braces 56 and by removing the fastenings 54, whereupon theentire superstructure `can .likewise be loaded onto a transport truck.Inthisyfashion.. simply by removing a dozen or so studs, the entiresuperstructure and conveyer mechanism can be .detached from the tractorand equally can be easily.. reassembled thereonat a .new location. I

. Somewhat better balance and-additional room for workmen ,inchargingthe conveyer are apro'- `vided inxthe variant form of'my inventioridis-`closedyzin Figs. 6 and?. This form in mostrespects is substantially,`the s ame as the fornr just I described butdeparts from. itin`themounting and in the suspension arrangement particularly. Mounted onthe quill 1li` is apart of the general conveyer :frame .which may bereferred to as a sub-frame or mounting frame 11. The frame 11 isgenerally included in the designation conveyer frame where used in theclaims since it forms part of the mounting and supporting structure forthe conveyer. The frame 11 is comprised of a pair of members journalledon the quill 16 and extending to support a secondary quill 18. Mountedon the secondary quill 18 isa conveyer structure, generally designated19, which for the most part is identical with the one previouslydescribed and as shown, for example, in Fig. 1. Substantially the onlydifference in this conveyer mechanism is that the return run 8l of theconveyer chain is held orsupported by the lower flange of the sidechannel 82 rather than by rollers such as 4|. Otherwise the .mechanismis identical. Substantially as in the previous mechanism, the powertake-oi shaft terminates in a sprocket 83 which is engaged by apowertransmitting chain 84 extending around a sprocket 86 on a lay`shaft 81 journalled in the secondary quill 18. Also mounted on the layshaft B1 is a sprocket 88 towhich a drive chain 89 is related.

' The drive chain extends around an upper driving nected to abail 94secured to eyes 9E on the frame 11 and at its upper end secured to aneye 91 mounted in a superstructure 98 which is identical with thesuperstructure previously described in general construction. By suitablyestablishing the length of the guy wire 92, the lower end of theconveyer 19 is set at any desired height and since the conveyer frame 11always rotates about adjacent the .discharge end thereof; .an conveyeron-l said Yframe engaging said shaft; i a drive coninection between`said `power take-off `shaftand fveyer `framefrom said superstructure2.; A tractor conveyer for use with .a tractor havingpa reargearphousing and a powertake-of shaft projecting rearwardly from saidhousing comprising a supporting sleeve secured to said housing withthe-axis of said sleeve disposed parallel tothe axis of said shaft, aconveyer frame journalled on said sleeve, a conveyer on said conveyerframe, a drive connection between said conveyer and said power take-offshaft, a superstructure mounted on said gear housing and extending partway over said conveyer frame, and means extending between saidsuperstructure and said conveyer frame for swinging said conveyer frameaboutsaid supporting sleeve.

3. A tractor conveyer for use with a tractor having a main frameincluding a rear gear housing and a power take-off shaft projectingrear- ;wardly from said housing comprising: a quill r adapted to besecured to said housing over said power take-off shaft; a conveyer frameincluding a sub-frame journalled on said quill and a belt framearticulated to said sub-frame; a. superstructure on said tractor; meansfor supportving said conveyer frame including said sub-frame and saidbelt frame from said' superstructure; a conveyer on said belt frame; andmeans for connecting said conveyer and said power take-off shaft foradvancing said conveyer.

4. A tractor conveyer for use with a tractor having a main frameincluding a rear gear housing and a power take-off shaft projectingrearwardly from said housing comprising: a quill adapted to be securedto said housing over said power take-off shaft; a sub-frame journalledon said quill; a secondary` quill on said sub-frame; a`

Y superstructure on said tractor; means for supthe axis of the quill 16,the length of the driving chain 84` remains constant. The outer end ofthe conveyer 19 is adjusted as in the previous embodiment, that is, by ablock and tackle arrangement 99 controlled through a winch IGI. Thus,the outer end of the conveyer can beswung in an arc about the axis ofthe secondary quill 18 as a center so that the length ofthe drive chain89 remains constant in any adjusted position of the parts.

In this form of the invention, while the same general characteristicsare present, still the weight of the conveyer is more evenly `disposedon the tractor and the loading or lower end of the conveyer is morereadily accessible to a crew of workmen placing sandbags on the conveyerchain. The same considerations as to portability and the like apply,however, to this arrangement so that in either form of my invention animproved tractor conveyer is provided.

I claim: i

1. A tractor conveyer for use with a tractor having a gear housing and apower. take-off shaft projecting from said housing comprising: a quillsecured to said housing and surrounding said shaft; a conveyer framejournalled on said porting said sub-frame from said superstructure;

a vbelt frame journalled on said secondary quill; means forsupportingsaid belt frame from said superstructure; a conveyer on saidbelt frame;`

and means for connecting said conveyer to said power take-off shaft.

5. A tractor conveyer for use with a tractor having a gear housing and apower take-oif shaft projecting from said housing comprising a super.

structure on said housing, a conveyer, means for supporting one end ofsaid conveyer from said superstructure, means for supporting the otherend of `said conveyer at least in part from said housing, saidsupporting means affording swingand surrounding said take-off shaft,asub-frame journalled at one end on said quill and extending laterallybeyond the side of the tractor, means carried by the tractor forsupporting the other end of said sub-frame, a conveyer frame jourquill;a conveyer shaft on said conveyer frame nailed at one end on the saidother end of the sub-framameans carried bythe tractor for adjustablysupporting the remote end of said conveyerl frame, a conveyer on saidconveyer frame and means connecting the power take-oil' shaft to theconveyer.

4 2,s74,nios

" Y'Ifltractorconvyer for use with a tractor having a. power take-01Tshaft proj eating from the 'rear thereof, a quill secured to the tractorbody and surrounding said power take-off shaft, a. subframe journalledat one end on said quill and extending laterally beyond the side of thetractor, means carried by the tractor for supporting the outer end ofsaid sub-frame, a conveyer frame journalledat one end on said outer endof the sub-frame and extending over said sub-frame to a. point beyondthe opposite side of the tractor, means for adjustably supporting theouter end of the conveyer frame, a conveyer on said conveyer frame andmeans connecting the power take-off shaftA to the conveyor.

ELLIS I-I. SPIEGL.

